they robbed and sexually assaulted his wife jennifer and youngest daughter mikaela. they set fire to the house, killing everyone inside but dr. petit who was able to crawl to safety. steven hayes and 30-year-old joshua komisarjevsky were caught within minutes just blocks away driving petit's car. they both face the death penalty in a crime considered one of connecticut's worst. >> this was such a dastardly thing, i think the death penalty is in order. >> reporter: hayes, a former drug addict with a long criminal record will stand trial first. a trial delayed by a suicide attempt, complaints about his living conditions and arguments over the death penalty. >> the defendant gets up and talks about decency when they're defending two people who stranged a woman with multiple sclerosis and tied an 11-year-old and 17-year-old to their bed while burning the house. trying to dot right thing and testify to what i know and be in the face of my family because they can't be here to represent themselves. >> reporter: for "good morning america," ashleigh banfield, abc news. cheshi